Android Anti virus to use or not to use

prairiedogn · Aug 26, 2012

Was wondering today if any of you current or past incredible 2 users believe in or use an anti virus for your Android device and if so which one? I personally don't and I have been advised by Android developers in the past that I'm safe since the Android OS is on a Linux system as long as I watch what I do in regards to downloading apps but for the sake of starting a thread on the count of boredom ill bring this up with you the dinc2 community.

kc2pko · Aug 26, 2012

I use Lookout Mobile Security. Not only do I use it for it's anti virus, but it also includes remote lock/wipe, and lost phone location services (both part of their premium, paid service).

bberryhill0 · Aug 26, 2012

I don't see any need for anti-virus.

prairiedogn · Aug 26, 2012

I especially would never spend money for an anti virus app not even for theft reasons. I personally believe anti virus apps for Android are all scams but thats my opinion.

acejavelin · Aug 26, 2012

Anti-virus is really not needed in Android devices... unless you are installing pirated apps and watching porn on your phone all day. Where I work we have 20-30 Android smartphones and have never had a virus or trojan issue once, and we have some pretty... ummm... lets just say "unique" users. Once in a while we get someone who installs something with Push ads, but those are pretty easy to get rid of and I don't think AV would have done anything anyway. Generally, the only thing it really does is tie up memory and other system resources.

victek · Aug 28, 2012

prairiedogn said:
Was wondering today if any of you current or past incredible 2 users believe in or use an anti virus for your Android device and if so which one?

I use Avast. It's free, scored well on tests and doesn't noticeably slowdown the phone. It also has an anti-theft module based on Theft-Aware (TA). TA is the only anti-theft software that can effectively be hidden so there's some hope that the phone can be located or at least remote-wiped if stolen. It's debatable how necessary AV is at this point, but the question is will it be needed in the future and will it be apparent when? When viruses first started to appear for Windows the threat was small and many people thought AV was a joke and unnecessary - clearly that changed. I prefer to implement security earlier rather than later. As to anti-theft software I think the notion that it will help you recover a stolen device is dubious, but it does make it possible to locate a lost/misplaced device, and perhaps erase the data if stolen.

grvthang · Aug 28, 2012

I've been using Android since November of 2009 and I've been on numerous forums since that time. I have never heard of a verifiable instance of someone picking up any kind of malware on their Android phone, outside of an instance where an actual app in the Google store was stealing information (it was quickly removed). All the scare stories I've read are told by people with an interest in selling anti-virus apps.

dylo22 · Aug 29, 2012

Just because you don't know anyone or have not heard from anyone who have been infected with a virus/Malware on Android, doesn't mean there is none or that it's impossible.

Personally I believe in using a reputable one as long as it doesn't affect overall performance of the phone. There really is not much to lose. At worst, it doesn't do anything which is no different than not using one. Or better it catches something when I needed it.

victek · Aug 31, 2012

grvthang said:
I have never heard of a verifiable instance of someone picking up any kind of malware on their Android phone, outside of an instance where an actual app in the Google store was stealing information (it was quickly removed). All the scare stories I've read are told by people with an interest in selling anti-virus apps.

How do you define malware? I would call an app designed to steal user information malware. The fact that such apps have been removed quickly from the Market doesn't change the fact that they've done damage to some people. This is typically how it works. If you don't mind being one of the people who is negatively impacted then there's no problem. I personally prefer to not rely on Google monitoring the Market for rogue apps. If android AV can help protect against this then I'm onboard.

There are a number of highly rated android AVs that are free so there's no need to be motivated by scare stories to buy anything.

prairiedogn · Aug 31, 2012

But all android anti virus apps ask forcan array of permissions that gives them a lot of rights that most apps never consider so your opening yourself up to who? And why? Just be smart don't download useless apps from intrusted developers

victek · Aug 31, 2012

prairiedogn said:
But all android anti virus apps ask forcan array of permissions that gives them a lot of rights that most apps never consider so your opening yourself up to who? And why? Just be smart don't download useless apps from intrusted developers

Do you use antivirus software on your computer? Do you trust the company that makes it? It's the same situation.

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